Navy rallies to sink Army

Black Knights' late fumble thwarts bid to end skid

Associated Press

Associated Press

Updated 6:11 am, Sunday, December 9, 2012

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 8: Keenan Reynolds #19 of the Navy Midshipmen rolls out of the pocket during a game against the Army Black Knights on December 8, 2012 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Navy won 17-13. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA — Navy's decade of dominance over Army was 14 yards away from sinking.

Then the Black Knights botched a handoff with an overdue victory in sight and the Midshipmen pounced on the fumbled ball.

Tight games or blowouts, Navy has made a habit of beating Army. Keenan Reynolds helped Navy top Army for the 11th straight time, scoring the winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter in a 17-13 victory in the 113th rivalry game Saturday.

The Midshipmen can hook an anchor to the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy and bring it to Annapolis.

Navy (8-4) won the CIC trophy awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies. Army and Navy each beat Air Force, putting the prestigious trophy up for grabs in the regular-season finale for the first time since 2005.

Army (2-10) hasn't hoisted the CIC trophy since 1996.

Unlike previous games over the past decade, the Black Knights were in this one until their final 70-yard drive. Army had driven to the 14 when QB Trent Steelman and fullback Larry Dixon fumbled on a sloppy exchange. Navy recovered and the Midshipmen on the sideline went wild and rushed the field.

"We expected to win from the beginning to the end," Army coach Rich Ellerson said.

In front of 69,607 fans and Vice President Joe Biden at Lincoln Financial Field, Navy caught a break when Army missed a late field goal attempt.

Reynolds quickly found Brandon Turner down the sideline for a 49-yard gain. Reynolds, named the game's MVP, then escaped a rush and followed with the eight-yard touchdown run with 4:41 left in the game.

The CIC trophy is coming back to the Naval Academy for a record 13th time after a two-year stint at Air Force.

Cincinnati:Texas Tech's Tommy Tubervillewas hired as Cincinnati's next coach, leaving the Big 12 for a school trying to move up to a better conference.

South Florida:Willie Taggart is taking over as coach after establishing himself as one of the nation's top young prospects by turning around a losing program at Western Kentucky.